Newcastle United midfielder Alan Smith has revealed how he knew he would never get back to his best after breaking his leg for Manchester United.

After a bad leg break at Liverpool in 2006, he says that he will never be the same player.

Smith, who faces a tough battle at Sheffield United tonight, said: "As soon as I did my injury I knew that. I spoke to Alex Ferguson and we both knew that it would be so difficult to play at that standard, week in week out.

"I am an honest person, I know that I'm not as good as I was. I don't play as freely but I'm lucky to still be playing.

"I love playing in this position and could still do it in the Premier League."